Houston Baptist University Rebrands to Houston Christian University

Houston Baptist University has changed its name to Houston Christian University as part of a rebranding effort to appeal to a broader range of students and expand the school’s enrollment.

“Houston Christian University more accurately epitomizes our student body and reflects the faculty, staff, alumni, and community we serve,” said President Robert B. Sloan during an open forum Sept. 21.

“We are committed to being a distinctively Christian university that welcomes all Christians to benefit from our excellent academic programs,” he said. “This historic university appeals to people all across the spectrum of Christian denominational life, and this new name clarifies who we are.” 

The renaming is part of a campaign to expand Houston Christian’s residential campus to 4,200 students and online campus to 5,800 students. According to U.S. News and World Report, the school had an undergraduate enrollment of 2,780 in fall 2021.

Sloan said a university task force of trustees arrived at the new name after two years of consideration, research, and prayerful review. He said the university will partner with higher education marketing and enrollment strategy firm Carnegie to market the new brand. 

Access to MinistryWatch content is free.  However, we hope you will support our work with your prayers and financial gifts.  To make a donation, click here.

The recent name change is the second time university leaders have changed the institution’s name. The school launched in 1960 as Houston Baptist College and was renamed Houston Baptist University in 1973.

“By changing to Houston Christian University, we are striving to be even clearer about our convictions,” Sloan said. “We are committed to Jesus Christ. We are committed to the Scriptures. We are committed to the Gospel and its power to draw all people to Christ. And we are committed to being ‘salt and light’ in the world.” 

The name change does not affect the University’s accreditation status, tuition or fees, athletic division or financial aid application process. The university’s logo will be revised, but its colors of orange and blue and its husky mascot will remain the same. 

Campus signage and athletics uniforms will be updated over the next few months, the university said.